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Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Cowboys have options at middle linebacker
By Calvin Watkins


IRVING, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys are taking a wait-and-see approach with middle linebacker Sean Lee, down with a serious left knee injury.

The Cowboys have several potential replacements for Lee, should he miss any significant time. Sources have told ESPN Cowboys officials fear Lee could have torn his ACL, which most likely will end his season.

Fourth-round pick Anthony Hitchens is the leading candidate, at least for now, to move to the first-team at middle linebacker.

But the Cowboys could also insert second-year player DeVonte Holloman, who impressed the team last year when he was healthy, into that position.

“I think all positions have their challenges, no question about that,” coach Jason Garrett said. “There’s a mental and intellectual challenge that comes with certain positions.
Quarterback would be one of them. Center would be one of them. Mike linebacker would be one of them. But we feel good about the linebacker options that we have. We drafted Hitchens for a reason and we feel like he’s a good football player and has some position flex. We’ll see how he responds to the opportunity he gets.”

The Cowboys have other options at the position in free agency.

The team could bring Ernie Sims back. Last season, Sims played in 12 games at various linebacker spots.

Sims even started in place of Lee, who missed a game at the New York Giants in November with a hamstring injury. Sims has a close relationship with defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli from their days with the Detroit Lions.

Signing veteran free-agent middle linebackers Rocky McIntosh and Jonathan Vilma are also possibilities.


Velma would make the defense very interesting...
 
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I saw Vilma at the grocery store a few weeks ago. Would have tried to take out his knee if I knew he'd maybe help Ginger retain his job.
 

boozeman

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This is the second or third time I have read an article that mentions Rocky McIntosh. That guy is about as suck as you can get.

With all these other names being thrown out there from Michael Boley, Vilma, even laughably Takeo Spikes, I would as soon sign Urlacher's old ass.
 

Hoofbite

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Vilma. RKG through and through.

Bet anything if he signs that Greg Williams gets all the blame in the world that Vilma used to get for bounty gate.
 

dbair1967

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Doesn't matter. This defense is awful w or wo lee.

W or WO Lee, the defense was only going to be better if the front 4 was better.

Thats still true today. If the front 4 is better, the defense will still be better than last year.
 

Hoofbite

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Your homer is showing again, David.

They don't really have a lot of room to be worse.

How a group of no names and a couple of injured guys instill so much confidence.
 

Hoofbite

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Shit, most didn't even start last year.

Melton - injured (nowhere near ready)
Minced Meat - backup
McClain - backup
Crawford - injured
Safety - whoever it is they'll either have been demoted or will be white
Hitchens - rookie projected later than round picked
Carter - benched

The team has 3 players who started last year and are penciled in to start this year.

Carr
Claiborne
Church

"Defense can't be worse"

Sure as fuck can if they haven't done anything that resembles improvement.
 
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"Defense can't be worse"

Three best players from all-time worst franchise defense are gone and we've replaced them with a guy coming of ACL replacement, 2 rotational DTs, and a few rookies.
 

Hoofbite

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"Defense can't be worse"

Three best players from all-time worst franchise defense are gone and we've replaced them with a guy coming of ACL replacement, 2 rotational DTs, and a few rookies.

fuck you, pep. Marinelli/Garrett are gonna get these guys to try really, really hard.
 

jeebus

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The idea that a D can't get worse might be the worst football philosophy I have ever heard. Especially while we are sitting here watching out team get worse.
 
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fuck you, pep. Marinelli/Garrett are gonna get these guys to try really, really hard.
Oh yeah, I forgot Marinelli was promoted to DC... that move alone makes the defense a thousand times better. nvm.
 
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Come on people, this could be a perfect storm. Those who track the Dallas superstitions over the last 15 years know that when the Cowboys have exciting or dynamic players or potential or have statistics such as "Dallas is 42-0 when leading by 21 with 2 minutes to play, generally they becomes complacent, or lazy, or the coach doesn't know what to do with all of the weapons. Suddenly 42-2.

But, this could be one of those times where Jason will be forced to coach the whole game; where Marinelli will have to make chicken salad, where all parts of the defense will need a great deal of pre-thought; where finally, the running game will have to be used to slow down the game.

Just might be a good thing, not guaranteeing wins, just saying we might see more innovation and quality just out of desperation. In terms of pure superstition, aside from Landry, Jimmy and Parcells, the worst thing you can give Dallas is some forecasted advantage or probable strength. But right now, things are desperate and all parts of the game, including instruction, may need to overachieve.
 

cmd34(work)

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nfl-draft-football-6-390x285.jpg

With the first pick in the 2015 NFL draft, the Dallas Cowboys select...
 
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